Snap on envelope

ABSTRACT

A resealable watertight mailing envelope has a Ziploc style strip for sealing the envelope closed. A flap portion is foldable over the Ziploc seal, secured in the closed position by a snap closure. The envelope also has an interior watertight lining joined with the Ziploc strip to seal the contents within from wetness or to prevent leakage of liquid items placed inside the envelope. In addition, a pair of adhesive strips can be attached to the inside of the flap portion for providing a water tight sealable closure of the envelope and also for alerting the individual that the envelope has been tampered with should the individual determine that the adhesive strips have been sundered from their engagement to the envelope&#39;s front panel.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/051,689filed on Jan. 22, 2002 and issued on Apr. 20, 2004 as U.S. Pat. No.6,722,784 B2.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an envelope enclosure forstoring or mailing important papers, and more particularly, it relatesto a Ziploc™ style closure and a snap closure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional envelopes are provided with a moisture activated glue stripalong the closure flap, with which to seal a mailing envelope closed.This type of envelope is typically discarded after a single use, as theadhesive does not permit repeated sealing of the same envelope. Also,the paper used in these envelopes is normally of a non-waterproofmaterial, so that one cannot store or send wet or damp items in themwithout messy leakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a reclosableenvelope with a waterproof liner, with an additional snap closure forthe flap.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an envelope forrepeat usage, which can be reclosed for multiple usages and forpermanent storage.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an envelopewith two means of closure for safekeeping of documents and for maileditems.

What is disclosed is a resealable waterproof mailing envelope comprisingan expandable pouch open at one end, and a waterproof interior liningportion. A reclosable sealing means is provided adjacent an open end,which is integrally joined with the lining portion to form a liquidtight seal which retains liquid within said lining portion. Alsoincluded is a flap portion adjacent the open end, and a means forfastening the flap portion to securely close said flap portion over thesealing means adjacent the open end, to protect the contents therein,said fastening means also disengageable for removing said contents andrefastenable for repetitive use. The reclosable sealing means comprisesa Ziploc type arrangement having opposable polyethylene strips, one saidstrip having a resilient protruding longitudinal rib portion, and asecond said strip facing said first strip having a longitudinal channeladapted to engage said rib portion retentively to form a seal along saidopen end. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening means is comprised ofa circular protruding ring portion attached to said flap portion and acircular receptacle portion attached to the exterior of said enveloperemovably interlockable with said ring portion such that when said flapportion is disposed over said open end to face said envelope the ringportion aligns with the receptacle portion such that a slight forcecompresses them into engagement providing additional stability andprotection for said sealing means. To further enhance the reclosablesealing means, and to guarantee that the envelope has not been tamperedwith, at least two adhesive strips are attached to the face of the flapportion, and on opposite sides of the protruding ring portion, forengaging with and making a water tight sealable closure to the frontpanel of the envelope.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the resealable waterproof mailingenvelope with one side facing up, in the open position;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the flap in theclosed position and the Ziploc strip sealed in the closed position;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the resealable waterproof mailingenvelope; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the resealable waterproof mailingenvelope illustrating a pair of adhesive strips attached to the face ofthe flap portion for providing a water tight sealable closure of theflap portion over the open end and against the envelope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a resealable water tight mailing envelope isgenerally designated as 10. A first front panel 12 includes side edgecreases 18A and 18B that form two perimeter edges for the front portiondefined by panel 12; and a third perimeter edge 18C is formed andattached to a back panel 30. The back panel 30 is also defined byperimeter edges 18A, 18B, and 18C. At the end of envelope 10 oppositeperimeter edge 18C, a rear panel flap 22 is formed from an extension ofback panel 30 adjacent an open edge 24 of envelope 10. Mounted on theinner face of rear panel flap 22 is a protruding ring portion 26.Protruding ring portion 26 cooperates to connect to a receptacle portion28 mounted on the exterior face of envelope 10, comprised of the frontpanel 12. When rear panel flap 22 is folded along open edge 24,protruding ring portion 26 aligns with receptacle portion 28 and whenpressed together such as by a person's thumb or fingers, engage eachother retentively, securing the flap 22 in position over the open edge24.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross sectional view taken along lines 2-2 ofFIG. 1 illustrates the gap 31 formed between front panel 12 and backpanel 30. A liner comprised of front panel 32 and rear panel 34 isattached to the interior portions of front panel 12 and rear panel 30.Said liner portions 32, 34 are continuous along liner bottom fold 36, toform a unitary waterproof barrier to the inner sides of front panel 12and back panel 30. Said liner panels 32, 34 are joined continuously atZiploc seal strips 44, 42.

Adjacent to open edge 24, a Ziploc seal arrangement is provided. Ziplocseal strip 40 is comprised of opposing strips 42, 44. Strip 42 containsa longitudinal spline 43. Opposing strip 44 contains slot 45, into whichspline 43 is removably engaged. Spline 43 and slot 45 are comprised ofresilient waterproof material such as plastic, polyethylene, rubber orsimilar material. When pressed together, spline 43 and slot 45 cooperateto retain strips 44, 42 in a closed, sealed strip along the entirelongitudinal edge adjacent edge 24. This reclosable sealed strip canlater be opened by pulling spline 43 and slot 45 apart in order toremove contents from within the pouch shown as gap 31.

The flap portion 22 may be folded over edge 24 and seal strip 40, andthe front panel portion 12. Thus protruding ring portion 26 is alignedwith receptacle portion 28 to form a releasable snap which when engagedoperates to retain flap portion 22 folded over edge 24 while beingmailed or stored. This folded flap arrangement offers additionalprotection to the seal strip 40, thereby preventing accidental openingof the sealed strip and also reinforcing the closure of envelope 10.

Due to the reclosable and resealable nature of the envelope, it isintended that the recipient of the envelope reuse the envelope eitherfor storage or mailing. Waterproof liner 32, 34, makes the envelopeideal for mailing damp or wet items. The moisture is sealed within thuspreventing the release of liquid contents. Conversely, the waterrepellent liner 32, 34 keeps exterior wetness away from the contentssealed within the envelope.

As shown in FIG. 5, the water tight mailing envelope 10 can also includea pair of adhesive strips 46 secured to the inside face of the flapportion 22 with each strip 46 positioned on either side of theprotruding ring portion 26. The adhesive strips 46 further enhance thewater tight sealable closure of the flap portion 22 over the open edge24 of the front panel 12 by contacting and adhering to the front panel12 and also complement the engagement of the protruding ring portion 26to the receptacle portion 28 for sealing the envelope 10. In addition,the adhesive strips 46 provide a security arrangement in that if theadhesive strips 46 have been sundered from their contact and adhesion tothe front panel 12, the individual is alerted to the fact that theenvelope 10, and the contents stored therein, has been tampered with.

According in the provisions of patent statutes, I have explained theprinciple preferred construction and mode of operation of my invention,and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent itsbest embodiments. However, it should be understood that within the scopeof the appended claims, the invention might be practiced otherwise andas specifically illustrated and described.

1. A resealable waterproof mailing envelope comprising: (A) an envelopeforming an expandable pouch open at one end, said envelope having aninner wall; (B) an interior lining portion comprised of waterproofmaterial, said lining portion attached to said inner wall of saidenvelope; C a reclosable sealing means adjacent said open end,integrally joined with said lining portion to form a liquid tight sealwhich retains liquid within said lining portion; (D) said reclosablesealing means comprises an arrangement having a pair of opposablestrips, a first strip having a resilient protruding longitudinal ribportion, and a second strip facing said first strip having alongitudinal channel adapted to engage said rib portion retentively toform a seal along said open end; (E) a flap portion adjacent said openend; (F) a means for fastening said flap portion to securely close saidflap portion over the sealing means adjacent said open end, to protectthe contents therein, said fastening means also disengageable forremoving said contents and refastenable for repetitive use; (G) saidfastening means being comprised of a circular protruding ring portionattached to said flap portion and a circular receptacle portion attachedto the exterior of said envelope removably interlockable with said ringportion such that when the said flap portion is disposed over said openend to face said envelope, the ring portion aligns with the receptacleportion such that a slight force compresses them into engagementproviding additional stability and protection for said sealing means. 2.The resealable waterproof mailing envelope of claim 1 wherein saidopposable strips are comprised of a material selected from one of thefollowing: polyethylene, plastic or rubber.
 3. A resealable waterproofmailing envelope comprising: (A) an envelope forming an expandable pouchopen at one end, said envelope having an inner wall; (B) an interiorlining portion comprised of waterproof material, said lining portionattached to said inner wall of said envelope; (C) a reclosable sealingmeans adjacent said open end, integrally joined with said lining portionto form a liquid tight seal which retains liquid within said liningportion; (D) said reclosable sealing means comprises an arrangementhaving a pair of opposable strips, a first strip having a resilientprotruding longitudinal rib portion, and a second strip facing saidfirst strip having a longitudinal channel adapted to engage said ribportion retentively to form a seal along said open end; (E) a flapportion adjacent said open end; (F) a means for fastening said flapportion to securely close said flap portion over said sealing meansadjacent said open end, to protect the contents therein, said fasteningmeans also disengageable for removing said contents and refastenable forrepetitive use; (G) said fastening means being comprised of a circularprotruding ring portion attached to said flap portion and a circularreceptacle portion attached to the exterior of said envelope removablyinterlockable with said ring portion such that when the said flapportion is disposed over said open end to face said envelope, said ringportion aligns with said receptacle portion such that a slight forcecompresses them into engagement providing additional stability andprotection for said sealing means; and (H) a pair of adhesive stripsmounted to said flap portion with said adhesive strips disposed oneither side of said protruding ring portion whereupon folding said flapportion over said open end of said envelope brings said adhesive stripsinto engagement and water tight sealable closure against said exteriorsurface of said envelope thereby closing said flap portion over saidsealing means so that if said adhesive strips are sundered from saidexterior surface of said envelope the contents held therein have beenlikely been tampered with.
 4. The resealable waterproof mailing envelopeof claim 3 wherein said opposable strips are comprised of a materialselected from one of the following: polyethylene, plastic or rubber. 5.A resealable waterproof mailing envelope, comprising: (A) an envelopeforming an expandable pouch open at one end, said envelope having aninner wall; (B) an interior lining portion comprised of a waterproofmaterial, said lining portion attached to said inner wall of saidenvelope; (C) a reclosable sealing means adjacent said open end,integrally joined with said lining portion to form a liquid seal whichretains liquid within said lining portion; (D) said reclosable sealingmeans comprises an arrangement having a pair of opposable strips, afirst strip having a resilient protruding longitudinal rib portion, anda second strip facing said first strip having a longitudinal channeladapted to engage said rib portion retentively to form a seal along saidopen end; (E) a flap portion adjacent said open end; (F) a pair ofadhesive strips mounted to said flap portion with said adhesive stripsdisposed on either side of said protruding ring portion whereuponfolding said flap portion over said open end and against said envelopebrings said adhesive strips into water tight sealable engagement withsaid envelope for sealably closing said envelope and protecting saidcontents held therein; and (G) whereupon if said adhesive strips havebeen sundered from their engagement to said envelope the individual ismade aware that said envelope has been tampered with.
 6. The resealablewaterproof mailing envelope of claim 5 wherein said opposable strips arecomprised of a material selected from one of the following:polyethylene, plastic or rubber.